Method of making condenser fins



Dec. 10, 1940. L, O'BRIEN 2,224,550

METHOD OF MAKING CONDENSER FINS 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Oct. 26', 1936 I NVENTOR William L. OBI-i671 Y a JSQQ W QM u/z w MTORNEYS Dec. 10, 1940. w. L. O'BRIEN METHOD OF MAKING CONDENSER FINS 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Oct. 26, 1936 E 3/ .414 4 6 H k m m 0 5 m 7 MN, 9 m m AM e W9 w /n W 3 I w 4 mm Q m E 9 2 9. a

.INVENTOR YMZZL a m I OBrien B 1%;,

Dec. 10, 1940. w Q' IE 2,224,550

METHOD OF MAKING CONDENSER FINS Original Filed Oct. 26, 1936 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 mvsu roa PVz'lZiam L. OlBrien ATr RNEYS Dec. 10, 1940. w. L. O'BRIEN METHOD OF MAKING CONDENSER FINS Origin'al Filed Oct, 26, 1936 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Dec. 10, 1

w. L. O'BRIEN 2,224,550

METHOD OF MAKING CONDENSER FINS Original Filed Oct. 26, 1936 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Lt? Q- 4 e 255 532 2 2 4 2 3 g5 Z60 =5 A 2/5 8 209 h 209 2/2 I INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Dec. 10, 1940. w. L. O'BRIEN 7 2,224,550

METHOD OF MAKING CONDENSER FINS Original Filed Oct. 26, 1936 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 E. WAD.

204 83 INVENTOR 7 I84 William L. OBI-den BY Q d/L, IO MQ 7 J AITORNEYS Dec. 10, 1940.

W. L. O'BRIEN METHOD OF MAKING CONDENSER FINS Original Filed Oct. 26, 1936 9 Shee'Ps-Sheet 7 INVENTOR yWz'lliam L. OBrien ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 10, 1940 METHOD OF 2,224,550 MAKING CONDENSER FINS William L. OBrien, Evansville, Ind., assignor to Servel, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Original application October 26, 1936, Serial No.

Divided and this application August 17, 1939, Serial No. 290,567

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a method of making condenser fins.

An object of this invention is to provide a method of making condenser fins wherein the fins are formed and cut from strips fastened together at their adjacent ends.

In the illustrative embodiment shown:

Figure 1 is a side view of the machine with the fin-material-holding means (shown at the right) moved up to the press and with a portion of th adjacent brake control rod 95 cut away;

Figure 2 is a vertical section of the machine;

Figure 2a is a view of the main power shaft from the line Za-Za of Figure 2;

Figure 3 is a view of the machine from the side opposite to that shown in Figure 1;

Figures 3a, 3b and 3c are detail views of latch means later to be described;

Figure 4 is a view of the means for assisting in holding aset of U-tubes in position;

Figure 5 is a view showing the U-tube-holding means and the fin-cutting means;

Figure'G is an end view of the elements shown in Figure 5 with various portions cut away so as to show the detailed structure;

Figure '7 is an enlarged view of the fin cutter;

Figure 7a is a sectional view on the line Ia-Ia of Figure 8;

Figure 8 is a horizontal section of a portion of the machine in the path of the fin-material feeding therethrough and showing (at the lower part of the figure) one of the followers in position to receive a. fin, together with the structure for controlling the position of the followers;

Figure 9 is an enlarged view similar to the lefthand central portion of Figure 2, showing the fin-cutting means and the follower control mechanism with portions cut away so as to show the details; I

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9, showing the follower control mechanism in a different position;

Figure 11 is a sectional view similar to a por tion of Figure 2 but showing the parts in a different position;

Figure 12 is a vertical section of the follower movingmechanisrn;

Figure 13 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of Figure 12 showing certain details;

Figure 14 is an enlargement of the right-hand mechanism Figure 17 is a view of the stop shaft showing the elements which are rigidly mounted thereon;

Figure 18 is a view from the right side of Figure 1 showing the stitcher for connecting the strips of fin material to each other to insure con-- tinuous feed, and the oiler mechanism;

Figure 19 is a top view thereof;

Figure 20 is an elevation of the stitcher, showing the element (which cuts the ends of the strips of fin material preparatory to stitching) in the down position, and with portions of thevarious elements cut awayso as to show details of the structure;

Figure 21 is a sectional view'on the line 2 I-2l of Figure 20;

Figure 22 is a view similar to Figure 21 but showing the cutter element in its upper position; and

Figure 23 is an enlarged view of certain parts shown in Figure 21, showing the cutter (at the left) in its upper position and the adjacent stitcher in its down position.

This application is a division of my copending application, Serial No. 107,739, filed October 26, 1936, and entitled Condenser flnning machine."

In heat exchange elements, such as condensers, radiators, and evaporators, where it is desirable either to add heat or take heat away from fluid within tubes or pipes, metallic fins may be pro-'- vided upon the tubes to carry heat from or to the tubes, as the case may be; In the manufacture of these heat exchange elements, the tubes may be made up of U-shaped portions upon which the fins may be placed. If desirable, a set may in-f' clude two or more U-tubes placed parallel to each other and the fins may be placed upon all of them at the same time. After the fins are in place, the U-tubes may be joined together so as to form a continuous circuit. 1

Referring to the right-hand portion of Figure 1 of the drawings, a strip of sheet metal, which is the fin material and is designated by the numeral 8, is shown in the form of a coil held by a holder ill. The end of strip 8 is unwound and-extends to the left through press I00 which has (as best shown in Figure 3) a main power shaft ifldriven by motor I40 through belt I38 running upon flywheel pulley I36, there being a fiy-wheel clutch of any usual type (not shown) connecting fly-wheel pulley I36 with shaft I34. Referring to Figure 2, during operation of the machine, strip 8 is advanced to the left through press Hill where rows of flanged holes are formed across strip 8 at spaced points. To the left of press H30, in the 'place by an extension Ill which extends into the end of the tube. Plugs 1 have amaximum' diameter the same as the'outsi'de diameter of the tubes, and are adapted to enter the flanged holes in fin 9 and effectively position the ends of the U-tubes therein.

Referring. to theleft-hand portion of Figure 2, a plurality of angularly shaped followers 202 are carried upon two endless chains (only one of which is shown) and are the active elements of the fin-positloning means. As each fin is cut from strip 0, it is pushed by a follower 202 downwardly along U-tubes MI and properly spaced thereon.

Referring particularly to Figure 2a and the upper right-hand portion of Figure 2, the main shaft I30 has rigidly mounted thereon two eccentrics I01 upon each of which is mounted a pitman I which extends downwardly and upon the end of which is mounted plunger head IOI. Plunger head' IN is adapted to move up and down, and in such movement is guided by means .7 (not shown) upon the inside of each side member of the press. Upon the bottom face of plunger head IN is fixed the block I02 of the perforating mechanism which is shown enlarged in Figure 14.

Directly below the block I02 is the anvil I03 of the perforating mechanisrm Elements I02 and I03 cooperate in such a way that rows of holes are punched in the strip of fin material traveling therebetween, and then the metal around each hole is expanded into a flange. Each row of holes extends across the width of the strip and is so positioned that it is along the center line of the metal that will later be a fin. There are six holes in each row, and the means for producing one of the holes isshown in crosssection. This is a cutting pin I00 fixed in block I02 and a cooperating hole I00 in anvil I03. Surrounding hole I00 is an upstanding sleeve I00, and surrounding pin I0 is a sliding sleeveI I2 which may move up and down relative to Pin I00 in the circular opening IIO formed in block I02. The lower end of sleeve II2 slides freely in collar II3 which is rigidly mounted in block I02, there being an enlargement upon the upper end of sleeve II2 which acts as a stop means. Surrounding the upper end of pin I00 and exerting pressure upon the upper end of a sleeve II2. so as normally to hold sleeve I I2 in its lowermost position, is spring III.' After cutting pin- I00 enters hole I00 and as block I02 moves farther downwardly, sleeve I00 enters recess IIS in col-v lar H3 and, in doing so, forms an upwardly extending, sharp-edged flange I 00 (see Figure 6) around the hole, the flange entering recess IIB. Recess- H5 is slightly larger in diameter than sleeve I00 so as to allow room for flange I00. During the latter portion of the movement of block I02 downwardly, sleeve H2 is engaged and held stationary'by the upper end of sleeve I00. As will be explained later, this flanged hole is formed to fit upon a condenser pipe.

when block I02 has reached its lowest posi- 'cessIIS.

As best. shown in Figure 2, the material cut 5 tion and starts upwardly again, sleeve H2 is pushed downwardly with respect to block I02 by spring III, so as to 'free the flange I00 from refrom strip 0 in forming holes falls to the bottom of the press through suitable openings to a container III. The forming of flange I00 is facilitated by oil which is placed upon the bottom surface of'strip 0 as it enters the press by the 10 oiler lII.

. Referring again to Figure 14, to the left of the hole-and-fiange-forming mechanismand mounted upon block I02 are a pair of materialcentering pins II which, upon each downward movement of block I02. enter two of the previously formed flanged holes, pass through the holes, and enter openings H0 in anvil I03, with the result that strip 0 is definitely centered during each downward punching operation.

Referring to Figure 2, rigidly mounted tothe left of anvil I03 upon shaft H0 is shown one of a pair of arms IIO, upon the free end of each of which is pivotally mounted a feedfinger I20.

downwardly by tension spring I22, the other end of' the spring being attached to the frame of I The right end of each of feed fingers I20 is urged: e

in strip 0. The left end surface of each finger I20 is vertical, while the upper surface of the end of the finger is sloped to form a cam, so that when feed fingers I20'are moved toward the right they will be depressed andretreat from the holes; but when they move toward the left they will enter and remain in the holes and advance strip 0 toward the left. As best shown in dotted lines just below the center of Figures 1 and 3, shaft H0 is actuated by arms I2I mounted near the ends thereof which, in turn, are acto tuated by rods I23. The other ends of rods I23 are carried by arms I 24 which are fixably mounted upon shaft I26. Referring to Figure 1, shaft I20 also has fixably mounted thereon arm I20,

the free end of which carries one end of eccentric rod I30. The other end of rod I30 is carried by eccentric collar I32 mounted upon eccentric I33 which is fixed upon the end of power shaft I34.

'Upon rotation of shaft m, eccentric 001181' I32 and rod I30 cooperate so as to translate the rotation. into an oscillating motion at the lower end of rod I30. This oscillating motion is transmitted through arm I28, shaft I20, arms I20, rods I23 and arms I2Ito shaft II8; with the result that (see Figure 2) arms I I0, and with them feed fingers I20, oscillate ratchet-wise through a definite path of definite length so as to feed strip 0 in measured steps.

Eccentric I33 is mounted upon power shaft I30 so that this path is such as to cause feed fingers I20 to advance strip 0 a distance equal to the width of one fin, and so as to move feed fingers I20 to the left and thus advance strip 0 while block I02 is raised and is thus free from strip 0. In this way, feed fingers I20 advance the fin material the width of one fin immediately after a row of flanged holes has been formed, and then are returning so as to enter holes in the next row during the time that block I02 is engaging strip 0 to form another row of flanged holes. Thus, the holes in strip 0 are spaced in a definite relationship -'with respect to the cutter and the hole-forming mechanism. The extreme position of fingers I20 to the left may be controlled and determines the exact position of strip 8 during the hole-forming and the cutting operations. This allows for ready adjustment of the width of the fins and, at the same time, avoids errors which might result from inaccurate movement.

As best shown in Figure 'I, cutter I includes a fixed cutter. element I52 and a movable cutter element I54 which cooperate with each other so as to cut fins from strip 8 and, at the same time, trim the corners of the fins. Fixed cutter I52 is mounted upon base block I53 which is car-' ried by the frame of the press I00. Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, movable element I54 is adjustably carried by sliding block I56 which is mounted upon guide pins I58 so as to move vertically. Guide pins I58 are slidably mounted at the top and bottom in bearings, the lower bearings being carried by base block I53, and the upper bearings being carried by block I59 which is mounted at its ends upon base block I53.

Referring again to the central portion of Fig-- ure 2, extending from the left side of plunger head IN is actuating arm I60, the end of which enters a recess in the right side of block, I56; due to-this construction, as plunger head IOI moves carrying block I02 it also carries with it movable cutter I54; and when the movement is downi wardly a fin is cut from the end of the strip. Simultaneously, arowof flanged holes is formed in the strip between block I02 and anvil I03.

' the extending portion.

Referring again to Figure 7, the cutting edge of the fixed cutting element I52 is formed of five distinct portions, each of which cooperates with a corresponding portion of the cutting edge of the movable element I54. The main portion of the cutting edge of the fixed element is straight and is designated by the numeral I62, and terinmates at its ends in arcuate portions I63. Edges I62 and I63 are in the horizontal plane of surface I 64 which is the plane of the path of strip 3 as it travels through press I00. Spaced slightly below surface I64; and, in the horizontal plane of surfaces E61, are arcuate edges I66 which extend from points which are in vertical alignment with the points of juncture between edge I62 and edges I63.

Fixed cutter element I52 is output behind edges I66 and below edges I63 so as to form recesses, of which the bottom surfaces I65 slope downwardly and backwardly. As best shown in Figure in, these recesses open into passages I69 in base block I53, which (see Figure 2) communicate with chutes I10 leading into the bottom of the press. This facilitates disposal of waste pieces cut from strip 8.

Referring again to Figure 7, the upper cutting member is provided with a straight center edge I68 which terminates at its ends in arcuate extending edges I12. Edges I68 and I12 all form edges of horizontal surface I14. Spaced above I16 and I68 so as to form a recess I18; and thus the upper cutting member fits over and registers with the lower cutting member.

Edges 468, I12, and I15 are in vertical alignment with and are of the same size and shape .as edges I62, I66, and I63, respectively.

In explaining .the operation of; the cutter, consider that a strip of fin material 8 rests upon surface I64 and extends beyond edge I62 9. distance equal to the width of one fin (as shown in Figure 8), Referring now to Figure 7, as movable cutter element I54 descends, surface I14 will engage the top of the fin material and thrust downwardly thereon. Uponfurther downward movement, cutting edge I68 will cooperate with cut ting edge I 62 so as to cut the fin free from strip 8 except at its extremeends, that is, the sides 7' of strip 8. During this first cuttingoperation and for a short time thereafter, surface I 14 has not reached the plane of surface I61 and cutting edges I12 and I66 have not yet come into cutting cooperation. Similarly, surfaces I16 have not reached the plane of surface I64, and cutting A edges I15 and I 63 cannot yet cooperate. During this short period. of time after the center portion of the fin has been out free and before surfaces I14 and I16 reach surfaces I61 and I64, respectively, the fin is pushed downwardly by surface I14, but is held at its ends (Figure 6) by the nar- 3 row and still uncut portions I80.

As cutter element I54 moves further downwardly, cutting edges I66 and I63 meet cutting edges I12 and I15, respectively, 'so as to cut out a portion I at each side of strip 8 and thus cut fin 9 entirely free from strip 8 and, at the same time, round the adjacent corners of fin 9 and the end of strip 8. These portions I80 fall upon surfaces I65 and slide downwardly through passages I69 and (see Figure 2) through chutes I10 to container H1 in the bottom of the press.

Fin-positioning mechanism The mechanism for spacing the fins upon a set of the U-tubes isentirely automatic after it is once started, and receives'each fin individually as it is .cut from strip 8 and places it in the proper position upon the U-tubes. This mechanism includes followers which are carried between two endless chains and which, during the operative portion of their movement, move continuously downwardly along oneside of the U-tubes.

As best shown in Figure 2, followers 202 are mounted upon shafts 204 and are allowed to rock between the two positions shown, but are normally biased counter-clockwise to the position shown in the bottom half of the figure. There are a large number of identical followers and one will be-described in detail, together with its mounting means.

The means for biasing follower 202 is shown best in Figure 8 and is a spring 206 mounted upon the center of and attached at one end to shaft 204. The other end of spring 206 is attached to follower 202. The upper portion of follower 202 (see also Figure 10) is provided with a paddle 246; and the lower portion (see Figure 8) has two sleeve journals 244 and 245 which are rotatably mounted uponshaft 204. Paddle 246 is substantially the length of fin 9 and is provided with fingers 248 which fit tightly about a portion of the periphery of the flanges I09 and extend between the U-tubes so as to exert force upon the fins in such a way as to avoid distortion of the fins.

Follower 282 also carries, along its center line, roller 258 which is rotatably mounted (see Figure upon a shaft 25! above and to the left forming a link of one of the two endless chains 289. Upon the ends of shaft 284 are extensions upon which are mounted roller bearing elements 2" which are held by guide strips 2 so as to ride in vertical grooves M2 and 2". These grooves are in frame members 2 and 2l5, respectively, and guide the followers as they move downwardly along the side of the U-tubes.

Referringto Figures 2 and 12, frame members 2 and 215 also act as mounting means for the other parts of the follower control mechanism and for this purpose, mounted inbearings at the top and bottom -of frame members 2 and 2l5, are shafts 2l8 and 228. Upon shafts.

2l8 and 228 are fixedly mounted two pairs of sprocket wheels 2I8 and 222, respectively, which carry'endless chains 289, referred to above.

Supported by suitable web structure upon frame members 2 and 2|5', and located vertically therebetween, is slide support channel 224. As best shown in Figure 8, slide support channel 224 is substantially U-shaped in horizontal cross-section and its interior channel 228 provides a guideway for the reciprocating slide Reciprocating slide 228 comprises two. side members 229 and roller strip face 238 which are welded together and are reenforced (see Figure 9) at the top by cam member 23! and at the bottom by blocks 221 and 233..

Referring to Figure 12, mounted on the rightsuitable adjustable mounting means is release pm 293, the purpose of which will be explained later. The mounting means for release pin 293 is shown in Figure 13 and comprises a fixed block 29I riveted to side member 229 upon which is adjustably -mounted an adjustable block 292,

Upon the outer face of fixed block 29! are horizontal grooves 295 and uponv the adjacent face of adjustable block 292 are cooperating teeth 298. Adjustable block 292 is provided with a ,vertical slot 291 which is adapted to receive set screw 299 which is screwed into fixed block 29l.

Adjustment of release pin 293 is obtained by releasing set screw 298, positioning teeth 298 in the proper grooves 295 and then tightening set screw 299. Release pin 293 is hood-shaped and is mounted upon a stud 294 which is screwed into block 292 and which is locked in place by tightening up release pin-298.

Reciprocating slide 228 acts'as a control means to control the position of the followers as they move downwardly, rocking the followers in position to engage the fins and then allowing the followers to retract and release the fins at the proper. points. Thus, slide 228 actually controls the positions in which the fins are placed on the U-members. L

Slide 228 is adapted to move in channel 228 between the lower position, shown in Figure 11, and the upper position, shown in Figure 2; and isheldinchannelflibythreepairsofguide rollers 282 which areearriednearthe top, centerand bottomotslidefll. Asbcstshiowninl 'igteeth in rack 288. These teeth are shaped so wise direction so that they tend to engage the w as to have upper faces which are in alignment with the ends of the dogs which cooperate therewith; and thus, slide 228 is held from downward movement except when dogs 248 and 242 are I withdrawn from their normal position. The

lower faces of these teeth are inclined to permit the dogs- 248 and 242 to slide over them when slide 228 moves upwardly.

As pointed out above, the followers may rock between two positions, and when in the extended position shown at -the top of Figures 9 and 10 and in Figure 8, the paddles 248 extend outwardly to engage the fins as the fins are cut off. In the retracted position shown at the bottom of Figures 9 and 10, the paddle is withdrawn and freed from the fins.

As best shown in Figure 2, as the followers are carried by chains 289 around sprocket wheels 218 they are in the retracted position and remain in Upon further downward movement of follower 282, roller 258 will ride upon roller strip 238 and thus hold the follower 282 in its extended position.

Referring to Figures'9 and 12, pivotally mounted upon the bottom of slide 228 is pointed actuating arm 254, the pointed free end of which extends downwardly and to the right (Figure 9) into the path'of rollers 252. Rotatably mounted between the two side walls 229 of reciprocating slide 228, upon a suitable bearing (see also Figure 8) carried by shaft 258, at'a point below pivot 258 is bell crank 288 which has a vertical portion and a horizontal portion; the horizontal portion carrying-at the end thereof pin 28! .upon which is pivoted dog'248. Extending from the right side (Figure 12) of pointed arm 254 through a slot in the side wall 229 of slide 228 and into'engagementwith a groove in the top of the vertical portion of bell crank 288' is actuating pin 262.

Referring again to Figure 9, bell crank 288 and pointed arm 254 are normally biased, along with dog 248, by spring 2 to the position shown. As each actuating roller 252 is carried downwardly, it engages the free end of pointed arm 254 and rocks this arm clockwise. This movement of arm 254 is transmitted through pin 282 to bell crank 288 so as to cause bell crank 288 to rotate counsuitable number of the notches in rack 238; and

when actuating roller 282 passes the end of pointed'arm 284, spring 24! returns dog 248, bell erank288,andpolnled'am884t0mnm1 1 movementofpointedarmflflssuchthat' tion.

The

. cent fin and is retained in the new position by dog 242.

Considering now that the elements are in the position shown in Figure 9, the followers are held in their extended position as they pass slide 228 and each is tilted back by its spring as its roller 258 clears the lower end of roller strip 238. Fol:- lower 282a is shown moving downwardly and is about to engage fin 8a which is about to be cut from strip 8. As surface I14 (see also Figure .7) moves downwardly so as to engage the upper surface of fin 9a, and cutting edges 168 and I62 start cutting the middle portion of fin 8a free, the paddle of follower 282a engages the top of fin 9a and pushes downwardly thereon. As explained above, (referring to Figures 7 and8) as the up-' per cutting member and follower 282a carry the fin downwardly, the fin is held at its ends by means of portions I88 and fianged holes in the fin are guided over the ends of U-tubes I (Figure 9) by round-nosed plugs I44. Upon further movement downwardly, cutting edges 112' and I15 cooperate with cutting edges [66 and I63, respectively, so as to cut the fin entirely free from strip 8; and the upper cutting member moves upwardly again, while the follower carries the fin downwardly along the tubes. In Figure 9, fin 9b has reached the desired position upon U-tubes MI and roller 258 upon follower 28212 has cleared the lower end of roller strip 238 so as to allow follower 28212 to be tilted backwards the web 241 has momentarily come in contact with block 233. When web 241 moves free of block 233, follower 2821; will move to its retracted position. In Figure 9, follower 2820 has carried fin 90 to its proper position and is moving on downwardly. Above follower 282a, follower 282d is moving downwardly so as to receive the next fin which is to be cut from strip 8. Actuating roller 252d upon follower 282d is about to engage pointed arm 254 and thereby elevate slide 228 a distance equal to the spacing between one fin and the adjacent fin. Follower 282a will, therefore, place fin 9a upon U-tubes [M at a point properly spaced above fin 9b.

In the normal operation of the machine, at the time fins have been placed throughout the length of a set of U-tubes I, slide 228 has been moved upwardly to the position shown in Figure 2 and the top of the slide engages set screw 264 which is adjustably carried in a vertically slidable bracket 266; and bracket 266 is moved up wardly. Movement of bracket 266 draws link 268 upwardly which rotates lever 212 and shaft 218 to which lever 212 is keyed. As will be explained later, this rotation of shaft 218 stops the entire machine.

With the machine stopped in the position shown in Figure 2, the finished unit, comprising a set of U-tubes with the desired number of fins thereon, may be removed from the machine and a new set of u tubes may be properly positioned to receive fins. As best shown in the left-hand portion of Figure 9, horizontal shaft 218 is rotatably mounted and has rigidly mounted thereon arm 288, in the free end of which is fixed horizontal pin 282 Pin 282 engages a horizontal slot in the upper end of dog-disengaging bar 284 which-is mounted in channel 226 .(see also Figure 8) and which (see Figure 9) has two diagonal slots 286 therein through which fixed pins,

288 extend, fixed pins 288 being mounted in slide support channel 224. When a new set of tubes is in position,'handle 214 is pulled downwardly against the tensiofi of spring 216 (see also Figure 3) so as to rotate shaft 218 and arm 288 counter-clockwise (Figure 9). This movement raises dog-disengaging bar 284 which, due to slots 286 riding upon fixed pins 288, when raised, moves to the right from the position shown in Figure 9 to the position shown in Figure 10.

, When moving to the right, the right edge of dogdisengaging bar 284 contacts the left side of the movable ends of dogs 248 and 242 and moves the logs out of engagement with rack 238. Dogs 248 and 242 are, therefore, rendered ineffective, and slide 228 moves freely downwardly until block 238 engages the next follower below which is in its retracted position.

v This movement of slide 228 is veryslight but it is sufiicient to move" the" top thereof (Figure 2) free from set screw 264 and the machine may now be started again. Referring to Figure 9, rockably mounted to the right of lever 288 upon slide support channel 224 is bell crank 289 which has a horizontal portion extending to the right (Figure 9) along the side of slide 228 into the path of release pm 293 (see Figure 12) which is fixed to slide 228. Bell crank 289 also has a latch portion extending upwardly and to the left (Figure 9). Fixedly mounted upon shaft 218 and extending into engagement with the end of the latch portion of'bell crank 289 is latch dog 298. Bell crank 2891s biased by spring 298 so that its left end normally tends to move downwardly and so that when shaft 218 is rotated to release dogs 248 and 242 this latch portion falls behind latch dog 298, as shown in Figure 10. This engagement of the latch portion of bell crank 288 with latch dog 298 latches shaft 218, and with it dog-disengaging bar 284 and dogs 248 and 242, in

the position shown in Figure 10 so that, even though the operator removes his hand from handle 214, dogs 248 and 242 are still held out'of engagement with rack 238. r With the new set of tubes in position, and slide 228 resting upon follower 282', as shown in Figure 10, the machine may be set in operation and the chains will start lowering follower 282' and with it slide 226. During this movement downwardly, slide 228 holds a given number of the followers in the extended position, and as-each follower passes the cutter it picks up a finin the usual manner and carries it downwardly along the tubes, all as previously described. Referring to Figures 11 and 12, shortly before the leading fin reaches its proper position upon the U-tubes, release pin 293 engages bell crank 289, releasing latch dog 298 and allowing dog-disengaging bar 284 to drop so that dogs 248 and 242 re-engage rack 238, arresting downward movement of slide The. follower carrying the leading fin will, therefore, continue downwardly until its roller 258 moves free of slide 228 and the follower is rocked to its retracted position. As movement of the followers continues, a follower-actuating 'roller 252 engages pointed arm 254 so as to step tion is repeated until the desired number of me have been placed upon the U-tubes and slide 228 has reached its extreme upward position, as ex- I plained in detail above.

v U-tube holding mechanism The means for holding the U-tubes is best shown in Figures 5 and 6 and comprises'a fixed in Figure 6) of sliding rack I42 is rigidly mounted a guide strip I85 which is T-shaped in cross-sectionand which slides in a corresponding groove in frame I8I. Rack I42 is thus rigidly held and adapted to be slid horizontally alongthe length of track I88 by either of handles I88, and is limited in the two extremes of its movement by stop plates m.

When rack I42 is in the position shown in Fig ure 5, the left-hand section thereof is positioned so that the set of U-tubes therein may receive fins; and the right-hand section. is positioned so that the U -tubes, with fins placed thereon, may be removed and a new set of U-tubes placed therein. when placing the U-tubes in position, the bottom of the U-tubes is received in a suitably shaped recess I88 and the top is received by holding strip I81. Holding strip I81 is best shown in Figure 4. and is provided with three cut-out portions I81a, l-81b, and I81c, each of which receives a U-tube under slight tension.

A holding strip I81 is resiliently held in a horiaontal position near the top of one side of rack I42 by means of a spring-pressed side bar I88. Each section of rack I42 is provided with a side bar I88, it being located in each case on the inside of the vertical wall of the rack (along the left wall of the left section and along the right wall of the right section) and supported by means of springs I88. Side bar I88 is adapted to push resilieiitly against one end of holding strip I81 so as to hold the other end thereof against the opposite side of the section. As the first fin moves downwardly upon a set of U-tubes, it will engage the top of holding strip I81, moving it downwardly. After the first fin starts moving downwardly upon the u-tubes, the tops of the U-tubes will be held in position by the fin and it will be no longer necessary to hold the tops of the U- tubes by other means. Holding strip I81 is moved downwardly to the position shown in the right-hand section of Figure 5, and may then be removed with the completed unit and may be replaced to its proper position so as to hold a new set of U-tubes.

Mounted in holes in guide strip I88 and on the center line of the left and right sections are sleeves I80 and I80, respectively, which are adapted to receive in their center holes locking pin I8I, which is slidably carriedin sleeve I82 in fixed frame I8I. In Figure 5, pin I8I is inserted in sleeve I80, thereby locking rack I42 in position. When desirable, pin |8I is withdrawn from sleeve I80, rack I42 is moved to the left, and pin I8I is inserted in sleeve I80. Rack I42 is thereby locked in the proper position for fins to be placed upon U-tubes in the right-hand section of the rack.

Locking pin m is moved to and from its locking position through a pin and slot connection by .arm I88 which is rigidly mounted upon shaft I84. ShaftJ 84 is mounted in the base of the press and extends out at both sides so that it may be operated from one side (Figure 1) by a suitable han- Sliding rack I42 is carried v thrust bearings 808 and 808.

dle I88, and from the other side (Figure 8) by handle I88. v

' Safety stop mechanism During the operation of this machine, it is desirable that the machine automatically stop in case of obstruction. A means for accomplishing this is shown in Figures 15, 18, and 1'7 and is means (shown also in Figure 1) for receiving power from-the main drive shaft of the press through chain 8 and transmitting the power through another chain 808 to the upper shaft 2I8 of the fin-positioning means. Supported upon side frame member 2 by suitable spider structure is sleeve bearing 808. Suitably supported in a like manner, concentric with sleeve bearing 888. and extendingthrough a hole 8" in side frame member 2, is sleeve bearing 802. Extending through bearings 880 and 802 is main drive sleeve 804. Sleeve 804 is held from end-, wise movement with respect to bearing 882 by Keyed to the left end of sleeve 804 is main drive sprocket 8I0 which is driven by a chain 8 from the main drive shaft of the press (see Figure l) Rotatably mounted on sleeve 804 adjacent thrust bearing 808 is driven sprocket 8I2 which. as best shown in Figure 16, has a hub portion 8I8 into the left end of which are cut a plurality of notches. These notches are each provided with one face 8, which is in a plane parallel to and extending through the axis of rotation, and one sloping face 8I8. Slidably mounted upon sleeve 804 and having one face adjacent the notched end of hub 8I8 is collar 8I8. Collar 8I8 is-provided with projections 8| 8 which are of the same size and configuration as the notches in hub 8I8 so that the adjacent end faces of hub 8I8 and collar 8 I8 normally register with each other, there being faces 8 upon collar 8I8 to correspond to faces 8I8 on hub 8I8. Referring to Figure 15, collar 8I8 is slidably keyed to sleeve 804 by means of key 820, so that collar 8I8 must rotate with sleeve 804 but may slide axially thereon. The center portion of collar 8I8 has an enlarged fiange thereon which is provided with suitable recesses to receive one end of each of a set of four .springs 822. Adjustably mounted upon sleeve 884 and adapted to receive the other ends of springs 822 is spring-retaining collar 824. Extending radially through slots 828 in sleeve 804 and rigidly mounted at its ends in collar 824 and at its center in adjusting bar 828 is-pin 380. The left end of the hole in sleeve 804 is threaded and is provided with adjusting screw plug 882 and lock screw plug 884. In assembling the parts, adjusting screw plug 882 is turned into the threaded end of sleeve 884 until adiustlngbar 828 is endisc 842. Pin 848 thus limits the movement of operating'shaft 888 and bevel wheel 842 to an axial movement a distance equal to the length of slots 888 and makes the position of bevel wheel 842 dependent upon the position of collar 8. Bevel wheel 842 may be moved by collar 8" Lock screw plug 884 is then turnedfrom the position shown in Figure 15 to the po- 15 sition shown in Figure 16, but these elements are normally retained in the position shown in Figure by springs 322.

Rotatably mountedin side frame members 2l4 and H5 adjacent bevel disc 342 is shaft 218, referred to above, upon which is rigidly mounted arm 346 which carries upon its free end, in the path of movement of the beveled edge of disc 342, a roller 348. When bevel disc 342 is moved from the position shown in Figure 15 to the position shown in Figure 16, roller 348 is engaged and shaft 218 is rotated, moving handle 358 downwardly which, as will be explained later, stops the operation of the entire machine.

In the normal operation of the machine, sprocket 3|8 moves clockwise (Figure -1), driving sleeve 384 which rotates collar 3|8 and through ithub 3l3 of sprocket 3l2, collar 3l8 being normally held in engaging relationship with hub M3 by means of springs 322. Thus, it will be seen that sprocket 312 is normally driven through engaging faces 3l6 and 3H, previously described, the pressure upon springs 322 beingadjusted by means of adjusting screw plug 332 so as normally to overcome the force tending to cause faces 31'! to slide on faces 3l6. If, however, the operation of the machine is obstructed by abnormal load or otherwise, the forcetending to cause faces 3|! to slide on faces 3l6 will overcome the force of springs 322 and collar 3|8 will slide to the left against the pressure of springs 322 to the position shown in Figure 16. Sprocket 3l2 will,

therefore, cease rotating and the fin-positioning means will stop. At the same time, this movement of collar 3l8 is transmitted through pin Stitching mechanism Referring to Figure 2, mounted upon the right side of the base of the press, and in the path of the strip of fin material 8 is stitcher 352 which is used, when one strip of material is exhausted, to fasten the end of the exhausted strip to a new strip. As best shown in Figures 21 and 22, the stitcher includes a movable cutter element 354, a movable stitcher element 356, and a fixed cutter element 358, in which are mounted a plurality of stitching needles 368. The fixed cutter element 358 is rigidly mounted upon base 362, and the movable elements 354 and 358 are mounted for limited vertical movement upon base frame 364. The movable elements 354 and 356 are each mounted by means of a plurality of screws which extend downwardly through base frame 364.

The left-hand side of Figure is cut away so as toshow one of screws 368, the lower end of which is securely threaded in movable stitcher element 358 and the head of which snugly fits the enlarged upper portion of hole 388. Coil ,spring 318, within hole 388, exerts pressure upwardly on the head of screw 366 so as to tend to retain screw 366, and thus movable stitcher ures 20, 21, and 22.

The upper right-hand side of Figure 20 is cut away to show one of screws 3'12, which are identical with screws 366 and aremounted in holes 314- with springs 316 so as normally to retain movable cutter element 334 in the upper position shown in Figure 22.

Referring to the upper portion of Figure 20 and to Figure 18, rockably mounted in recesses 318 upon pivots 3,88 and normally positioned as shown in Figure 18 are two cam arms 382 and 384. These cam arms are connected to each other by means of bar 388; and cam arm 38.4 has handle extension 388 thereon which is used to operate both of the cam arms. On the lower end of each of these arms 382 and 384 are two cam portions which are selectively used to operate either movable cutter element 354 or movable stitcher element 355 As shown in both Figures 20 and 21, the left-hand cams 398 are positioned sothat when handle 388 is swung to the left (Figure 20) cams 398 move cutter ele ment 354 downwardly, from the position shown in Figure 22 to the position shown inFigure 21. Right-hand cams 392are so positioned that when handle 388 is swung to the right cams 392 i when handle 388 is moved to the right the stitch er mechanism is operated.

As best shown in Figure 23, each of stitching needles 368 is provided with a head portion 394 which has an inclined upper face 386, the edge of which is a cutting edge. Mounted in movable stitcher element 356 directly above each stitching needle 368 is cooperating pin 398 which is surrounded by cutting sleeve 488. Cooperating pin 398 terminates at its upper end in ahead which is slidably positioned in the enlarged upper portion of hole 482. Retained above pin 398 in hole 482 by means of screw plug 484 so as to bias pin 398 in its downward position is coil spring 486. As movable-stitcher element 356 moves downwardly, the inner edge of cutting sleeve 488 cooperates with the top portion of the cutting edge of head 394 and the material therebetween is pierced. Upon further movement downwardly, movable stitcher element 356 comes to the position shown inFigure 23 wherein a portion of the material is projected upwardly in the hole in cutting sleeve 488 by head 394 so as to displace cooperating pin 398 upwardly. The lower face of.

movable stitcher element 356 is pressed tightly toward the upper face of fixed element 358 so as to compress the material therebetween.

In operation, shortly before the end of an ex hausted strip of material reaches stitcher 352, the forward end of a new strip is placed on top of the rear edge of the exhausted strip to the extent shown in Figure 21, and handle- 388 is swung to the left. This movement of handle 388 to the left cuts off the ends of the two strips of material, as shown in Figure 21, and accurately squares the ends; Handle 388 is then swung to the vertical position while the cut-ofif ends of the two strips are removed, and the advance end of the new strip is pushed in so as to overlap the end of the old strip, as shown in Figure 22. As will be explained later, this overlapping is only enough to make the stitch and is not enough to interfere with making the flanged holes in the strip. Handle 388 is now swung to the right, and

movable stitcher element 888 is thereby moved downwardly to the position shown in Figure 23. This movement pushes the two strips downwardly, puncturing the two strips and displacing portions thereof, thereby making a stitch wherever there is a needle 388, as shown in Figure 23.

Mounted to the right (Figures 21, 22, and 23) of stitching needles 888 are relating pins 488 which are similar in structure to cooperating pins 388 and are normally held in the position shown The material is now free to be moved to the right by the normal operation of the machine, and as it does so there is some possibility that the stitches formed will be abnormally thick and will interfere with the movement of strip 8. To avoid this possibility and, at the same time. improve the stitches, mounted in line with stitching needles 368 are rollers 4I2. Rollers 2 are rotatably mounted upon shaft 4I4 which is held at its ends by brackets 4 I 8 which are rigidly mounted upon base frame 384. i

As suggested above, the spacing of stitching needles 388 and fin cutter I58 (Figure 2) is such that the line formed by the right-hand side of the stitcher heads 384 is later the dividing line betweentwo fins. Thus, the cutter I58 will cut the material along the right-hand edge of the line of the stitches so as to free the two portions of the stitch which would otherwise cause a double thickness of metal in the fins. These portions which, in Figure 23, are the portion of the upper strip to the right of the right-hand edge of the line of stitches and the portion of the lower strip to the left of the right-hand edge of the line of stitches may then be removed and the edges of the fins may be smoothed out to the original position so as to eliminate practically'all evidence of the stitches. The stitches formed thus perform the function of holding the two strips of material together during the time that the new strip is being threaded into the machine, but the stitches are not present in the final product.

- Oiler As best shown in Figures 1 and 2, mounted to the right side of stitcher 352 is oiler 4", the details of which are shown best in Figures 18 and 19. 'Rigidly mounted upon -a roller 422 in pan 4I8 are annular felt strips 428 and brake disc 424. Extending around brake disc 424 and tension'ed by means of an adjustable spring 428 (see also Figure 1) to produce friction with brake disc 424 is band 428. Band 428 is attached to the side of pan 8 and is ,thus retained in fixed position. Pan 4I8 contains suitable oil, and as the strip of fin material rides upon felt strips 428 roller 422 revolvesso as to carry the oil upwardly and apply it to the under-side of the strip, The tension upon band 428 may be adjusted so as to regulate the speed of rotation ofroller 422 and thus controlthe amount of oil which is'placed upon the strip.

Material holder The mechanism for holding the strip of fin materi al a in coiled form is holder I8,.and is best shown at the right of Figure 1. In actual operation, holder I8 is located further to the right of press I88 than shown, the showing of Figure 1 being for convenience only.

Holder I8 comprises cylinder I2 which is adapted to receive, and have latched thereon by means of latches I4, coiled strip 8. Cylinder I2 is provided with suitable mechanism to control the unwinding of coiled strip 8 and is mounted upon post I8. Mounted on post I8 below cylinder I2 by means of bar I8 is a bracket structure which includes three horizontal rods .28, 22, and 24, two fixed angular rods 28 and 28 and a swinging U-shaped brake or tension member". Swinging U-shaped tension member 88 comprises two side bars which fit along the side of strip 8 and a top horizontal portion which normally lies against coiled strip 8, as shown. Strip 8 thus unwinds as it is used and is kept under constant tension.

. Control mechanism The control mechanism comprises clutch means to connect. the driving motor to the main power shaft and brake means which, in the present embodiment, is applied to the main power shaft whenever the motor is disconnected. All this is associated with various safety means which prevent the operator from. starting the machine except when the machine is in proper condition and which stop the machine in case of trouble.

Referring to Figure 3, the fiy-wheel clutch (not shown), which, when in engaging position connects motor I48 to main power shaft I34, is moved to engaging position by a movement of rod 48 upwardly and is moved to disengaging fixed U-member 48 at its bottom and collar 48 at its top. U-member 48 is mounted upon the base of press I88 and collar. 48 is adiustably mounted upon rod 48. Spring 44 thus normally biases'rod 48 in its upper position so as to tend to hold the control for fiy-wheel clutch in the disengaging position. Arm 42 is pivoted upon stud shaft 58 and carries one end of bar 82. The other end of bar 82 is carried by the free end of arm 84 which is rigidly mounted upon control shaft 88.

Control shaft 58 extends the width of the base of the press and has rigidly mounted thereon, in

addition to arm 54, operating pedal 88, arm 88 and (Figure 1) arm 82. V

Rigldly mounted upon main power shaft I84 is brake drum 8i, around which, is mounted 85, the lower end of which is carried by arm 82. when operating pedal 88 is pushed downwardly'so as to rotate control shaft 88 to the running position, brake control rod 88 is pulled downwardly so asto operate cam arm 84 and thus release brake 82 from brake drum 8I'.

when control shaft 88 then rotatesto the stopped position, cam arm 84 will be moved upwardly and spring 88 will again be allowed to apply brake 82 to brake drum 8|.

-- the stopped or running condition.

is connected to main power shaft Ill whenever operatingpedal 58 is pushed to its down position; and brake 82 is immediately applied and motor I481 is disconnected whenever operating pedal 58 is moved to its up position. Due to the biasing of rod 48 by spring 84 and the biasing of brake 82 by spring 83, the fiy-wheel clutch and brake 92, and with them control shaft 58, are normally retained in the stopped position of the press.

Referring again to Figure 3, arm 88 carries at its free end one end of latch-operating rod 88, the other end of which is carried by latch 88 which acts as latching means to latch the 'press in either Latch 88 is pivotally mounted upon stud bolt 88 so as to be in the position shown in Figure 3 when the press is stopped, and so as to be moved to the position shown in Figures 31) and 30 when the control of r the press is moved to the running position.

As pointed out above in connection with the' description of the movement of sliding rack I 42 (Figures 5 and 6), when handle I85 is in the down position, shown in Figure 3, pin I 8I is properly positioned in one of the two sleeves I88 wardly from handle I95 is operating rod I8 which is connected at its lower end through pivot pin I8 to the left end of latch bar I8 which is pivoted on stud I2 and in the right end of which is formed a notch I4. With latch 88 in he stopped position, shown in Figure 3, when handle I95 is raised so as to withdraw pin I9I notch II falls over the end of latch 55 so as to prevent clockwise rotation oflatch 88. 1 It will thus be seen that when pin I8I is withdrawn. latch 86, latch operating rod 88 and arm 58 will beheld fixed. thereby preventing movement of control shaft 58 and the machine cannot be started.

During the time that the machine is running, it would be undesirable to withdraw pin I8I because of the possibilit of accidental movement of sliding rack I82. -With the machine in the unning position. latch 88 will be in the position hown in Figure 3c; and any attempt to pull up n handle I 95 will cause the-ri ht end of latch ar"I8 to engage the top of latch 88, as shown m is withdrawn and so as to prevent the withdrawal of pin I9I while the machine is running. Freely mounted upon stud bolt I2, between latch bar I8 and the side wall, is latch arm 88 which. as best shown in Figures 8a and 8b, is

connected through a pin and slot connection at its free end with operating arm 82. Operating arm 82 is rigidly mounted upon shaft 84 which has rigidly mounted thereon arm 88. Arm 88 is connected through rod 88 to operating handle 358 v which, as pointed out above, is rigidly mounted upon shaft 218. Attached at one end to handle 858, and at the: other end to side frame member 2l5, is spring 88 which normally biases 858 upwardly. It will be seen that when latch 88 is moved clockwise from thevposition shown in Figures 3 and 3a to the running position, shown in Figure 3!), spring 88 will pull upwardly upon handle 858, thereby carrying rod 88 and arm 88 upwardly and rotating shaft 88 and arm 82 counterclockwise so that latch arm'88 will fall and notch 8| will catch on theleft side of -latch As pointed out above in connection with the description of the normal stopping of theme.- chine when a unit is completed and the stopping of the machine by the safety stop mechanism, if shaft 218 is rotated so asto push downwardly on handle 358 latch arm 88 will be raised and, due to the action of springs 44 and 83, control shaft 58 will be moved to the stopped position.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have described the principles of operation of my invention, together with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof, but I desire to have it understood. that the apparatus shown and described is only illustrative and that the invention may be carried out by other means.

I claim: 1. In the art of manufacturing fins from strips of sheet metal wherein the strips are fastened together at their adjacent ends and successively drawn into the deforming and cutting apparatus,

the steps ,of: overlapping the trailing end of a 35 strip which is being deformedand cut with the forward end of the next succeeding strip to be deformed and cut; attaching these ends of the two strips with the attachment within a transversely extending zone and with said zone so spaced from .the portions of the strip then in position to be deformed and to be cut that a predetermined number of fins may be produced from that'particular strip without the subsequent deforming operations being carried on within said zone; deforming the metal strip at spaced intervals; engaging the strip where it is deformed and thereby moving it; and cutting the fins from the strip with the final cutting operation on said trailing end of the strip of sheet metal within said zone so that during the continued operation successive strips are attached to one another and are deformed and cut into fins with the over! lappingmaterial incident to the attaching together of the strips so positioned that the de.-

forming and cutting steps are not interfered with materially and excessive overlapping material may be removed from the fins.

2. In the art of manufacturing fins from strips of sheet metal wherein the strips are fastened t0- gether at their adjacent ends and successively drawn into the deforming and cutting apparatus, the steps of:' overlapping the trailing end of a strip which is being deformed and cut with the forward end of the next succeeding strip to be deformed and cut; attaching these ends of the two strips by piercing both strips at a plurality of spaced positions with the piercing resulting in an attachment which is within a transversely ex- 19 forming the metal strip by producing transversely extending rows of flanged holes at spaced interrespective flanged holes; and cutting the fins from the strip with the final cutting operation on saidtrailingendoithestripofsheetmetalwithin' said zone so that during the continued operation successive strips are attached to one another and are deformed and ocut into flns with the overlapping material incident to the attaching together of the strips so positioned thatthe deforming and cutting steps are not interfered with materially and excessive overlapping material may be removed from the fins.

n O'BRIEN. 

